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Facts About Auto Sales

The average age of passenger vehicles on U.S. roads is 11.6 years, according to IHS Markit, and the average price of a new vehicle is $37,577 according to Kelley Blue Book.

2018 Sales QUICK FACTS

After an unprecedented seven-year growth trend followed by a slight downturn in 2017, 2018 saw the fourth-best sales year in history: 17.2 million units sold

Market Trends

Sales remained near historic highs, with 2018 notching the fourth best sales year in history after narrowly beating sales in 2017.

Light Truck Popularity

Light trucks (SUVs, vans, pickups) continue to be popular. Trucks outsold cars for the sixth straight year – jumping nearly 8%, year-over-year, to a 69.2% market share, which was led by a record demand for crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) with an all-time high annual penetration of 38.7% in 2018.

Pickups & Small Cars

After CUVs, pickup trucks were the second best-selling segment, followed by small cars. And while pickup trucks gained steam in market share in 2018, small cars lost more than 2% from 2017, as the overall car segment contracted.

Looking Ahead

Experts believe the U.S. auto industry remains well positioned since demand for new vehicles is expected to remain strong.

Sales Comparison

Light Trucks

Light trucks help fuel 2018 sales

In 2018 light truck market share increased nearly 5% to 69.2% – the highest in history. This continues a change in trends from the past decade, when half of new vehicle sales have been split between cars and light trucks (SUVs, vans and pickups.) Often consumers choose light trucks for their passenger and cargo room, four-wheel-drive features, towing capacity and more.

Historic Sales

Automakers sold over 17 million light vehicles in the U.S. market last year, the fourth highest mark in sales history.

According to consumer research, our customers want it all — better mileage, cleaner and safer technologies and affordable new vehicles. While we continue urging all stakeholders to work together toward a national program for fuel economy standards, automakers have our own roadmap to move forward while continuing to meet the needs and expectations of consumers.

Our priorities are fourfold

Continue increasing fuel economy — year after year — to provide our customers with more energy-efficient vehicles with greater emissions reductions and the latest safety technologies.

Partner with public/private groups to get more energy-efficient vehicles on our roads via charging/fueling infrastructure, consumer incentives, government fleet sales and car-sharing and ride-sharing programs.

At the same time, continue increasing investments in research & development for more advancements in safety and efficiency.